FaultScore

Isuzu Axiom vs Mercury Topaz

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure Isuzu Axiom Mercury Topaz
Complaints on file 238 581
Model years covered 2001–2004 1983–1998
Worst model year 2002 1994
Best model year 2004 1995
Crashes reported 22 27
Fires reported 3 59
Injuries reported 10 12
Deaths reported 0 2
Most complained-about part Transmission & Drivetrain Electrical System
Share of complaints involving harm 14.7% 17.2%

Isuzu Axiom by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Brakes 36 15.1%
Body & Structure 35 14.7%
Engine & Cooling 27 11.3%
Suspension 22 9.2%
Fuel & Propulsion 16 6.7%
Electrical System 9 3.8%
Airbags 8 3.4%

Mercury Topaz by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Electrical System 113 19.4%
Engine & Cooling 99 17.0%
Seat Belts 77 13.3%
Brakes 59 10.2%
Steering 20 3.4%